Klarinet Archive - Posting 000076.txt from 1994/05

From: Jordan Selburn <jselburn@-----.ORG>
Subj: Re: Clarinet Materials
Date: Wed, 4 May 1994 10:09:29 -0400

On Tue, 3 May 1994, Chris Hill wrote:

> The "graphite" clarinet postulated in recent communications must surely be
> thought of as a graphite fiber/epoxy resin or carbon fiber/epoxy resin
> composite material, or some closely related composite. The stiffness of
> such structures can be quite finely tailored, depending on fiber content,
> the precise nature of the resin used, and other factors, so it should be
> possible to vary the acoustic properties, which depend sharply on
> stiffness, of a clarinet fabricated from them.

I've felt for a number of years that a graphite/epoxy matrix would make
for an ideal reed. It would flex like cane, but the material would not
vary like cane. In fact, by varying the stiffness of the graphite fibres
(larger diameter?) you could produce reeds of varying strength without
changing the manufacturing process. One question: does anyone have a
feeling for the posible toxicity of graphite/epoxy (graphite is just
carbon, but epoxy has lots of goodies in it)?

So, netters: what would you pay for a perfect reed that lasts forever???

Regards,
Jordan